Safety 11
D. First Ride
When you buckle on your helmet and go for your rst familiarization ride on your
new bicycle, be sure to pick a controlled environment, away from cars, other
cyclists, obstacles or other hazards. Ride to become familiar with the controls,
features and performance of your new bike.
Familiarize yourself with the braking action of the bike (see Section 4.C). Test the
brakes at slow speed, putting your weight toward the rear and gently applying
the brakes, rear brake rst. Sudden or excessive application of the front brake
could pitch you over the handlebars. Applying brakes too hard can lock up a
wheel, which could cause you to lose control and fall. Skidding is an example of
what can happen when a wheel locks up.
If your bicycle has toeclips or clipless pedals, practice getting in and out of the
pedals. See paragraph B.4 above and Section 4.E.4.
If your bike has suspension, familiarize yourself with how the suspension
responds to brake application and rider weight shifts. See paragraph B.6 above
and Section 4.F.
Practice shifting the gears (see Section 4.D). Remember to never move the
shifter while pedaling backward, nor pedal backwards immediately after having
moved the shifter. This could jam the chain and cause serious damage to the
bicycle.
Check out the handling and response of the bike; and check the comfort.
If you have any questions, or if you feel anything about the bike is not as it
should be, consult your dealer before you ride again.
2. Safety
A. The Basics
WARNING: The area in which you ride may require specific safety devices.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the laws of the area
where you ride and to comply with all applicable laws, including properly
equipping yourself and your bike as the law requires.
Observe all local bicycle laws and regulations. Observe regulations about
bicycle lighting, licensing of bicycles, riding on sidewalks, laws regulating
bike path and trail use, helmet laws, child carrier laws, special bicycle
traffic laws. It’s your responsibility to know and obey the laws.
1. Always wear a cycling helmet which meets the latest certication standards
and is appropriate for the type of riding you do. Always follow the helmet
manufacturer’s instructions for t, use and care of your helmet. Most serious
bicycle injuries involve head injuries which might have been avoided if the
rider had worn an appropriate helmet.
WARNING: Failure to wear a helmet when riding may result in serious
injury or death.
Wheel rims clean and undamaged? Make sure the rims are clean and
undamaged at the tire bead and, if you have rim brakes, along the braking
surface. Check to make sure that any rim wear indicator marking is not visible
at any point on the wheel rim.
WARNING: Bicycle wheel rims are subject to wear. Ask your dealer
about wheel rim wear. Some wheel rims have a rim wear indicator
which becomes visible as the rim’s braking surface wears. A visible
rim wear indicator on the side of the wheel rim is an indication that
the wheel rim has reached its maximum usable life. Riding a wheel
that is at the end of its usable life can result in wheel failure, which
can cause you to loose control and fall.
Brakes: Check the brakes for proper operation (see Sections 4.C). Squeeze
the brake levers. Are the brake quick-releases closed? All control cables
seated and securely engaged? If you have rim brakes, do the brake pads
contact the wheel rim squarely and make full contact with the rim? Do
the brakes begin to engage within an inch of brake lever movement? Can
you apply full braking force at the levers without having them touch the
handlebar? If not, your brakes need adjustment. Do not ride the bike until the
brakes are properly adjusted by a professional bicycle mechanic.
Wheel retention system: Make sure the front and rear wheels are correctly
secured. See Section 4.A
Seat post: If your seat post has an over-center cam action fastener for
easy height adjustment, check that it is properly adjusted and in the locked
position. See Section 4.B.
Handlebar and saddle alignment: Make sure the saddle and handlebar stem
are parallel to the bike’s center line and clamped tight enough so that you
can’t twist them out of alignment. See Sections 3.B and 3.C.
Handlebar ends: Make sure the handlebar grips are secure and in good
condition. If not, have your dealer replace them. Make sure the handlebar
ends and extensions are plugged. If not, have your dealer plug them before
you ride. If the handlebars have bar end extensions, make sure they are
clamped tight enough so you can’t twist them.
WARNING: Loose or damaged handlebar grips or extensions can
cause you to lose control and fall. Unplugged handlebars or
extensions can cut you and cause serious injury in an otherwise
minor accident.
VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:
Please also read and become thoroughly familiar with the important
information on the lifespan of your bicycle and its components in Appendix
B on Page 43.
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